dinamica generale, manufacturer of the dg precisionFEEDING™ System and AgriNIR™ portable analyzer for forages, will host the “Consistent Rations Using On-Farm Feed Analysis” seminar at the World Dairy Expo on Oct. 4 in Madison, Wis.

The seminar will focus on how NIR technology used in the dg precisionFEEDING System and AgriNIR allow dairy farmers to adjust their rations for dry matter and other nutrient values in real time. This helps ensure prescribed rations are delivered to cows with each feeding, according to Matt Dobberstein, Sales Manager for dinamica generale US.

New research from The Ohio State University shows that substantial day-to-day variability in dry matter, NDF, CP and starch in corn silage and haylage is often as great as month-to-month variation, says Dobberstein. “Over the course of one day, variation in dry matter can substantially alter diet composition. NIR technology helps farmers hone in on a consistent ration by measuring feed dry matter values before a payload is dumped into a batch mixer,” Dobberstein says.

“The goal is to curb over- or under-feeding our cows. Farmers that use the dg precisionFEEDING System tend to experience rapid payback, improved operational efficiencies and a strong return on investment,” Dobberstein says.

Dr. Matt Akins, Ph.D. of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be presenting at the seminar. His paper “Evaluation of On-Farm Forage Dry Matter Determined by Near Infrared Spectroscopy” was showcased at the 2012 ADSA conference and demonstrated portable NIR technology’s effectiveness in measuring dry matter and nutrient content in feed. “Dr. Akins has seen first hand the immediate value NIR technology brings to a farm’s operation,” says Dobberstein.

Also at the seminar will be Steve Brand (Brandville Farms; Ellsworth, Wis.) and Dennis Landwehr (Landwehr Dairy; Coldspring, Minn.) who will share their experiences with the dg precisionFEEDING System. “Both Steve and Dennis consider the dg precisionFEEDING System an important part to their dairy operations. They will discuss the system’s return on investment,” says Dobberstein.

The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 at 4:00 pm in the Kegonsa Room of the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall. Complimentary refreshments and appetizers will be served.

dinamica generale US, located in St. Charles, Ill., is an Italian-based company that manufacturers NIR analyzers used for detecting the composition of livestock feed to a molecular level. In the dg precisionFEEDING System, an IRM NIR Forage Analyzer is mounted directly into the bucket of a front-end loader to analyze feed as it is scooped. The farmer can see dry matter content and nutrient levels from the loader cab and make adjustments in real time. The AgriNIR™ is a portable NIR analyzer that provides on-farm feed sample reports.